Chapter 11 Chapter 11 Atlass vision cleared , the haze of rage dissipating , leaving behind nothing but a cold , steely resolve .

Take her to the police .

His voice was devoid of emotion , final .

A sharp gasp filled the air as Ivy struggled to fill her lungs with oxygen , her body wracked with violent coughs .

She clutched at her throat , her breath hitching as she stared at him in disbelief , horror mingling with desperation .

No … you cant do this to me, she choked out , her voice breaking .

Atlas , you love me ! Her eyes glistened with hysteria .

You promised you said youd always protect me ! Atlas didnt spare her a second glance .

With a curt wave of his hand , his security team moved in , grabbing Ivy as she thrashed in their hold , her screams echoing through the vast estate .

The moment the door slammed shut , the house was plunged into an eerie stillness .

Atlas inhaled sharply , forcing his racing heart to steady .

Still no sign of Celeste ? The answer came quickly .

No , sir .

Theres been no trace of her .

His throat tightened .

Without another word , he turned and ascended the stairs , his footsteps heavy as he entered our bedroom .

The bed was untouched , the sheets still faintly carrying my scent .

Atlas lowered himself onto the mattress , burying his face into the pillows as if he could will me back into existence .

His fingers brushed against a single long strand of hair left behind on the fabric .

Carefully , he picked it up , cradling it against his chest .

A breath trembled from his lips .

And for the first time in years , a single tear slid silently down his face .

Celeste … where are you ? He lay on my pillow , staring at the ceiling , the past rushing back with cruel clarity .

The way I had looked at him on those late nights , my gaze hazy with love .

19.00 Backup Girl No More : Adios To My V Card and My First Love 39.1 % Chapter 11 The way I had whispered his name , curled up against his chest , believing that I was safe in his arms .

His body jolted upright as a sharp , searing pain shot through his chest .

He gasped for air , but it felt like a weight was pressing down on him , suffocating him .

He had to get out .

Atlas bolted down the stairs , shoving open the front door as he stumbled outside , the cold night air hitting his burning skin .

But it didnt help .

Every shadow , every scent , every lingering memory was like a blade against his already torn apart soul .

He staggered toward the driveway , his body moving on instinct , but the crushing grief wouldnt let him go .

Atlas collapsed onto the steps of the grand entrance , his hands gripping his hair , his eyes vacant .

The rain began to fall .

Soft at first , then heavier , until it was a downpour .

Yet he didnt move .

The icy water seeped into his clothes , his skin , his bones , but the numbness had already settled in long before the rain had .

His body swayed , exhaustion dragging him under .

Then , everything went black .

On the other side of the world .

The midday sun beat down relentlessly , beads of sweat trickling down my skin as I pressed forward , my boots digging into the rocky path .

I was nearly there .

My breath was ragged , my limbs heavy , but as I lifted my gaze , my heart swelled .

The mountain peak stood just ahead , towering against the endless blue sky .

A weary smile tugged at my lips .

With one last push , I stepped onto the summit .

The world unfolded beneath me a breathtaking expanse of valleys and rivers , rolling hills and 39 30 % Chapter 11 endless horizons .

I threw my arms open , letting the wind rush past me , carrying away the last remnants of my old self .

This had been my fathers dream to see the world , to stand atop mountains , to embrace the vastness of the earth .

But he never got the chance .

So now , I would do it for him .

For us .

For five years , I had dreamed of traveling .

Of seeing more than just the walls of that estate , more than just the same city I had been confined to .

But every time , Atlas had found a reason to stop me .

And so , year after year , I had stayed .

For five years , the only sight I had truly seen was him .

But not anymore .

From now on , my world would be filled with landscapes , oceans , stars everything I had once been denied .

I lifted my camera , capturing the beauty in front of me , the moment frozen in time .

And then , with a small , determined breath , I uploaded it online .

A reminder that freedom was always within reach .

Mr.

Whitmore ! Weve found her .

Someone posted a photo of her from the mountain summit in Instagram .

1 39.6 % Chapter 12

Tip: You can use left, right keyboard keys to browse between chapters.Tap the middle of the screen to reveal Reading Options.

If you replace any errors (non-standard content, ads redirect, broken links, etc..), Please let us know so we can fix it as soon as possible.

Report